Sánchez Gambles on Housing Crisis as Corruption Scandals Loom

Key points

• Sánchez called a snap election for November 29, 2026, after his government failed to pass emergency housing measures in parliament.
• The decision follows weeks of nationwide protests sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid and rising rents.
• Sánchez’s minority government has struggled to pass legislation since late 2022, with his last major reform being a controversial amnesty for Catalan separatists in 2023.
• Opposition leaders, including Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the People’s Party and Santiago Abascal of Vox, welcomed the election, accusing Sánchez of using the housing crisis to distract from corruption scandals involving his wife and former allies.
• Polls suggest the conservative People’s Party is likely to win the most seats, potentially forming a coalition with Vox, while Sánchez faces tough odds in securing a broader progressive majority.
• Sánchez’s government is expected to approve housing measures, including a suspension of evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030, via a committee after parliament is dissolved, bypassing the need for full parliamentary approval.

Background

Sánchez’s decision to call a snap election follows a series of political setbacks, including the rejection of emergency housing decrees in parliament and intensifying corruption scandals involving his wife, Begoña Gómez, and former allies. His minority government has struggled to pass legislation since late 2022, with his last major reform being a controversial amnesty for Catalan separatists in 2023. The housing crisis, exacerbated by rising rents and the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid, has triggered weeks of nationwide protests, providing Sánchez with a platform to mobilize left-wing voters. However, his opponents argue that the housing crisis is a distraction from deeper issues, including corruption and the migration crisis in Ceuta.

How outlets are covering it

The Financial Times frames Sánchez’s snap election as a high-risk gamble to rescue his premiership by turning the housing crisis into a cudgel against the right-wing opposition, emphasizing his lack of a parliamentary majority and the corruption scandals involving his wife and allies. The BBC, in contrast, highlights Sánchez’s history of political gambles, noting his 2023 snap election and his ability to secure a majority through agreements with left-wing and nationalist parties. While the FT focuses on the corruption angle and the risks of a far-right coalition, the BBC emphasizes the potential for Sánchez to mobilize left-wing voters and the public support for the housing reforms. Both outlets agree that the election is a critical test for Sánchez’s ability to remain in power, but they differ in their emphasis on the corruption scandals versus the housing crisis as the primary driver of the election.

Why it matters

The snap election could determine the future of one of Europe’s last remaining left-leaning governments, with implications for housing policy, migration, and corruption in Spain. If Sánchez loses, the conservative People’s Party and far-right Vox could form a coalition, potentially reversing progressive reforms and intensifying the housing crisis. If Sánchez wins, he could secure a broader mandate for economic reform, but his minority government may still struggle to pass legislation. The election also highlights the growing influence of far-right parties in Spain and the challenges facing left-wing governments in addressing housing and corruption.

What to watch

Sánchez’s government is expected to approve housing measures, including a suspension of evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030, via a committee after parliament is dissolved. The election campaign will likely focus on the housing crisis, corruption scandals, and the migration crisis in Ceuta. Polls suggest the conservative People’s Party is likely to win the most seats, but Sánchez’s ability to mobilize left-wing voters and secure a broader progressive majority will determine the outcome. The election could also reshape the political landscape in Spain, with potential implications for housing policy, migration, and corruption.